Page 130 - SEC_2017WorkingDocument_Neat

and the scores for the total population of candidates were uploaded, and the final reports
generated. TAC also noted that in instances where the difference between the final grade
distributions exceed the normally accepted limits, the necessary approvals would be obtained
before the results were released.

89. FAC noted that TAC was satisfied that, with these procedures and the random nature
of the selection and assignment of scripts for marking which was part of the e-marking
process was, the recommendations pertaining to the award of grades for the May-June 2017
examination session were acceptable.

90. FAC heard that the TAC subject reports provided a description and assessment of how
the CAPE and CESC May-June 2017 examinations performed in 33 CSEC subjects, and 35 CAPE
subjects covering 67 Units. Useful comments, suggestions and recommendations were also
included in the subject reports. However, TAC highlighted a few points derived from the
reports:

(i) The TAC meetings with the CAPE and CSEC SACs were held primarily through

distance communication and involved audio or both video and audio. In the past,
TAC had reasons to call attention to the need improved arrangements for the
meetings conducted through this distance communication modality. TAC was
pleased to report that for this year’s SAC meetings, considerable improvements
were evident. These improvements, combined with the provision of access of
TAC members to soft copies of relevant documents, through CXC’s Docushare,
resulted in an improved quality of TAC meetings with the SACs. TAC
recommended that the improvements noted in setting up and servicing these
meetings should be extended to all instances where CXC use such distance
communication technology in conducting its business.

(ii) E-marking was undertaken this year for all CSEC and CAPE subjects with the
exception of CSEC Technical Drawing and Visual Arts, and CAPE Art and Design
and Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing. For a few subjects, the SACs
indicated that they were pleased with how the marking exercise went for May-
June 2017. These subjects included; CAPE Computer Science where the SAC
reported that the marking exercise went well, CAPE Law where the SAC reported
that they experienced greater efficiency for May-June 2017 due to increase in
the number of markers deployed for each question, CSEC Religious Education
where the SAC reported that standardization went smoothly and marking was
completed on time, and CSEC Information Technology where the Chief Examiner
reported that the marking exercise proceeded smoothly and that any minor
issue that arose was speedily resolved by the examining team, with excellent
support from the EDPD Subject Officer.

(iii) Many SACs pointed to a range of challenges they experienced with the
arrangements for standardization, the availability of markers, the time required
to get assistance for problems they encountered or for clarification they required
in order to proceed with the marking. Several Chief Examiners expressed the
view that more attention needs to be paid to how aspects of the transformation
from face-to-face to e-marking affected markers and the drop-out rate.

24